Ticket cleaner apparatus

Abstract

Ticket cleaner apparatus is described which is adapted to remove a coating from the surface of a game ticket to reveal or expose characters on the ticket. The apparatus includes: (a) a housing which includes an opening to receive the ticket; (b) a rotatable cleaning element supported within the housing; (c) positioning means adapted to position the ticket within the housing so that the coating on the ticket is in contact with the cleaning element; and (d) power means which is adapted to rotate the cleaning element while in contact with the coating on the ticket.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Ticket cleaner apparatus adapted to remove a coating from the surface of a game ticket to reveal characters on said ticket, said apparatus comprising: (a) a housing which includes an opening therein which is adapted to receive said ticket;   (b) a rotatable cleaning element supported within said housing; said element comprising a cylindrical roll having brush means on the periphery thereof;   (c) positioning means adapted to position said ticket within said housing in a manner such that said coating on said ticket is in contact with said cleaning element; wherein said positioning means comprises spaced-apart parallel plates; wherein one said plate includes an opening enabling said periphery of said cleaning element to project therethrough to contact said coating when said ticket is inserted between said parallel plates;   (d) power means which is adapted to rotate said cleaning element while in contact with said coating; and   (e) switch means operably connected to said power means in a manner such that said power means becomes activated to drive said cleaning element when said ticket is inserted between said parallel plates; wherein said cleaning element is adapted to remove portions of said coating from said ticket to reveal said characters.     
     
     
       2. Ticket cleaner apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said power means comprises an electric motor. 
     
     
       3. Ticket cleaner apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein said motor is adapted to be powered by a battery contained within said housing. 
     
     
       4. Ticket cleaner apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said brush means comprises hair. 
     
     
       5. Ticket cleaner apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said brush means comprises plastic. 
     
     
       6. Ticket cleaner apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said brush means comprises metal bristles. 
     
     
       7. Ticket cleaner apparatus adapted to remove a coating from the surface of a game ticket to reveal characters on said ticket, said apparatus comprising: (a) a housing which includes an opening therein which is adapted to receive said ticket;   (b) a rotatable cleaning element supported within said housing, said element comprising a cylindrical roll having brush means on the periphery thereof;   (c) positioning means adapted to position said ticket within said housing in a manner such that said coating on said ticket is in contact with said roll; wherein said positioning means comprises spaced-apart parallel plates; wherein one said plate includes an opening enabling said periphery of said cleaning element to project therethrough to contact said coating when said ticket is inserted between said parallel plates;   (d) electric motor means within said housing which is adapted to rotate said roll while in contact with said coating; and   (e) switch means operably connected to said electric motor in a manner such that said motor becomes activated to drive said cleaning element when said ticket is inserted between said parallel plates; wherein said roll is adapted to remove portions of said coating from said ticket to reveal said characters.     
     
     
       8. Ticket cleaner apparatus in accordance with claim 7, wherein said motor means is adapted to be powered by a battery contained within said housing. 
     
     
       9. Ticket cleaner apparatus in accordance with claim 7, wherein said brush means comprises hair. 
     
     
       10. Ticket cleaner apparatus in accordance with claim 7, wherein said brush means comprises plastic. 
     
     
       11. Ticket cleaner apparatus in accordance with claim 7, wherein said brush means comprises metal bristles. 
     
     
       12. Ticket cleaner apparatus in accordance with claim 7, wherein said switch means comprises a micro-switch. 
     
     
       13. A method for removing a coating from the surface of a game ticket to reveal characters on said ticket, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing apparatus in accordance with claim 1;   (b) inserting said ticket into said opening in said housing in a manner such that periphery of said cylindrical roll contacts said surface of said ticket to remove said coating and reveal said characters on said ticket.